This week in water, the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder is working with Aboriginal communities to embed Traditional Knowledge in environmental water management, while progress continues on major irrigation and education initiatives across the states.
Innovative use of antacid minerals is helping fight sewage odour in Queensland, and a green approach to recycling wastewater is gaining momentum in South Australia.
Internationally, researchers have made a breakthrough in lithium extraction from water and reconstructed sea level shifts across 540 million years, offering insights into the Earth’s deep past and our resource future.
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Aboriginal knowledge shaping water management
The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH) is working with Aboriginal communities to include their knowledge in environmental water programs across the Murray–Darling Basin.
As part of CEWH’s Flow-MER program, researchers study how water for the environment supports plants, animals and landscapes.
“We’re talking with First Nations communities to learn how they want their knowledge included in the Flow-MER program,” said Dr Simon Banks, the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder.
“This is important for making better decisions about how we use water for the environment.”
Cultural outcomes – distinct from environmental outcomes – are central to this work. “A cultural outcome is something that is of cultural importance to First Nations people which affects how water is used,” said Dr Phil Duncan, Flow-MER’s lead for Cultural Outcomes.
Each community has its own priorities. For example, water deliveries that support the growth of lignum – a native plant used in weaving – can have both cultural and environmental benefits.
“Protecting lignum matters for both people and Country,” Dr Duncan said. “This protects a healthy country for future generations and informs environmental water planning.”
Antacid mineral helps cut sewage odour
A mineral often used to treat heartburn is now helping Unitywater fight odour and corrosion in its wastewater network.
The utility has partnered with environmental tech firm Calix to dose magnesium hydroxide liquid (MHL) at 55 pump stations across Moreton Bay, the Sunshine Coast and Noosa.
“MHL suppresses hydrogen sulphide gas – the ‘rotten egg’ smell – and helps prevent blockages and pipe corrosion,” said Executive Manager Customer Delivery Rhett Duncan.
Produced at a local facility supported by Sunshine Coast Council, the non-toxic treatment also reduces operating costs and offers an interim fix for reported odour issues.
Bill help on offer at Gippsland pop-ups
Gippsland Water is holding community pop-ups across Latrobe, Baw Baw and Wellington to help customers struggling with water bills.
Acting Managing Director Nic Moss said the sessions offer face-to-face support in shopping centres and libraries until September.
The pop-ups offer on-the-spot support including flexible payment plans, help with concessions and referrals to financial counselling.
Tasmanian irrigation milestone hit
Tasmanian Irrigation has laid more than 80 km of pipeline in the Northern Midlands Irrigation Scheme (NMIS), marking the halfway point in construction.
The scheme will deliver 25,500 ML of high-surety water to support around 7,000 hectares of farmland from 2026.
“The scheme will deliver reliable water where and when it’s needed,” said CEO Mike Sylvester. “It gives farmers the confidence to invest in high-value crops and strengthens regional economies.”
Yarra Valley Water’s school program reaches halfway mark
More than half of the primary schools in Yarra Valley Water’s service area are now part of its Water Watchers education program.
The fun, interactive school incursions teach students where water comes from and how to use it wisely, using characters like intergalactic aliens to share water-saving messages.
Managing Director Natalie Foeng said: “It’s helping raise a generation of students who understand what a precious resource water is.”
Green tech supports wastewater reuse in SA
A low-cost, algae-based technology is improving wastewater recycling in regional South Australian towns.
Developed by Flinders University, the high-rate algal pond (HRAP) system is now being trialled in combination with sequencing batch reactor technology at SA Water’s Angaston plant.
“These newer systems can work better and faster without major capital expense,” said Professor Howard Fallowfield.
The research is supported by SA Water and the ARC Biofilm Research and Innovation Centre. The goal is better quality non-potable water for parks and sporting fields.
South East Water announces new Managing Director
Carla Purcell has been appointed the new Managing Director of South East Water and will begin the role on 18 August.
Previously CEO and COO of Yarra Trams, Purcell brings experience in customer-focused infrastructure leadership and holds degrees in law and commerce.
Chair Lynn Warneke said: “She has the right mix of skills to position our organisation for future success as we continue to respond to climate and population pressures.”
New membrane technology extracts lithium from water
Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory and the University of Chicago have developed a membrane that can efficiently extract lithium from water.
As demand for lithium soars, this innovation offers a potential low-cost and local method for securing supplies critical to batteries and clean energy technologies.
“The new membrane we have developed offers a potential low-cost and abundant alternative for lithium extraction here at home,” said Argonne’s Seth Darling.
Scientists map 540 million years of sea level changes
For the first time, researchers have traced sea level fluctuations on a thousand-year scale across the past 540 million years.
Published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters, the study refines our understanding of Earth’s deep-time ocean history and could help guide exploration for green energy resources.
“Taking these rapid sea level variations into account is important for understanding the structure of the subsurface,” said lead author Dr Douwe van der Meer from Utrecht University.
Sea levels are largely influenced by tectonics and ice volume. The new research bridges the data gap between long-term averages and short-term events.
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